Nico & Lola:
Kindness Shared Between a Boy and a Dog

By Meggan Hill
Photographs by Susan M. Graunke

Genuine Prints LLC
www.nicoandlola.com
Available May 2009
ISBN: 978-0-615-23040-5
$16.95 Hardcover
Children’s Picture Book / Ages 2-11 / Children and pets
Author, photographer, and Nico and Lola live in northern Illinois

How will I be so kind?  Young Nico must search his heart to find ways to be so kind when he takes care of his canine friend Lola.  A book for every child to read, share, and remember!

“It’s not often a book comes along that has such a delightful presentation.  Nico & Lola, by Meggan Hill, does a wonderful job expressing the meaning of kindness.  Young children will easily identify with Nico and will be drawn to the great photographs.  This is a particularly good book for children who may find wordier books more challenging.  The message is very clear and understandable, even for the very young.  Our bookstore is involved in a program that pairs young readers with dogs to read about fairness, caring, citizenship, respect, and others.  This would be a great addition to that collection.  My question is, when will this author create more books on the other pillars of Character Counts that are in use in so many schools?  This is a great start!”
– Sharon, Beaverdale Books, Des Moines, IA

“I loved the whole concept of this book!  The pictures are fabulous, and the story is so sweet!  I like how the whole story shows kids important concepts about being a kind person.  The way the story is written, it leaves itself open for further discussion about these concepts, as well as responsibility and manners, whether it be between parent and child or teacher and child.  Definitely a winner!”
– Angie Grafstrom, Inspiration Hollow, Roseau, MN

Buy this book from your favorite locally owned and operated Midwest independent bookseller!  Click here for the directory of our member bookstores.

Nico & Lola events at MBA member bookstores:

July 8  — 11:00 am
Butterfly Books
DePere, WI
“Dog Days of Summer with Lola” — Reading, Q & A, and signing
(following Puppy Camp)

MBA Bookseller Information

For more information about this book, please contact Jenny Powell, Bookstore Sales, at Genuine Prints LLC, info@nicoandlola.com .  Order this book from B&T or Ingram or from the publisher:  Genuine Prints LLC, PO Box 328, Carpentersville, IL 60110 ; 888-853-0001, www.nicoandlola.com.

If you want to inquire about events with Meggan Hill and Susan Graunke, please contact Meggan Hill, meggan@nicoandlola.com, 888-853-0001.  Meggan and Susan frequently present programs for children and families at bookstores, schools, and libraries around the Midwest.  Please visit their website, www.nicoandlola.com, for more details about their presentations. See below for promotional and event materials, too.

MBA Booksellers: earn up to $100 in rebates for promoting this book!  See the marketing information and rebate form below.

Downloads

• Midwest Connections Rebate Form (PDF) – AVAILABLE NOW!
• Full-color sign/flyer (PDF)
• Shelf talker (PDF)
• Slip Card (PDF)
• Color Print Ad (PDF)
• B&W Print Ad (PDF)
• Q&A with Author and Photographer (PDF)
• Teacher’s Guide (PDF)
• Book photo – high res (JPG)
• Book photo – low res (JPG)
• Book back cover photo (JPG)
• Authors group photo (JPG)
• Author photo (JPG)
• Photographer photo (JPG)
• Nico & Lola photo 1 (JPG)
• Nico & Lola photo 2 (JPG)
• Lola photo (JPG)
• Midwest Connections Generic Display Materials

About the Book

“This is a precious book. Nico is so mild mannered and cute, and Lola, a small Pug, is adorable. The photos are clean and well lit with vibrant colors. The text emphasizes the importance of being kind and the many ways that one can choose to be kind. The book reinforces responsibility and thoughtfulness without being preachy. It is perfect for the target ages and will help teach good tot/pet relationships. We rated it five hearts.”
 - Bob Spear, Heartland Reviews and The Book Barn, Leavenworth, KS

“My favorite part of the story is when Nico hugged Lola good-bye. He was going to miss her after his Aunt Sue picked-up Lola after her vacation. I really liked all of the pictures a lot. The best picture is of Nico and Lola walking with neighbor friends in the park. I enjoyed reading this book because it was full of nice things and friends. “Nico & Lola” … is a good book about how to treat animals in your care. I learned how to show caring and kindness to animals. You should always give your dog water on a warm day after running a lot.
– Madeline McElroy, age 7 1/2, www.readerviewskids.com

“This delightful book not only takes a unique approach to teaching children the concept of kindness but draws an immediate connection through the use of photographs of real people and animals. Listening to their conversation about the book, you realize the fun they had in writing this story and the passion they share for bringing strong lessons into clear view for parents, grandparents and teachers. NICO AND LOLA is a must have book for children. It is a story that my granddaughter loves hearing over and over again. She thinks Lola is “so cute” and loves seeing Nico hold Lola’s paw. I guarantee this is one of the best children’s books around…”
– Eularee Smith, www.wisegrandma.com

“A picture book with a purpose: A series of precious photographs of a toddler gently interacting with a pug teaches young children to be kind to animals.”
– Kirkus Reviews

 “How can I be so kind?”  Nico searches his heart to find different ways to be kind when taking care of an adorable dog named Lola. There is an undeniable connection between Nico and Lola. They share much more than just their similar small stature and dark chocolate colored eyes. Nico and Lola share kindness. Tender messages are hidden among the extraordinary photographs displayed on every page. This unique book reminds readers of all ages we can always be just a little bit kinder in everything we do. This is a story to read, share and forever carry in your heart.

 About the Author and Photographer

MEGGAN HILL

“As a mom I wanted to write a memorable story that would give parents and schools teachable moments about what kindness really is and where it leads.  Nico and Lola is a journey of friendship between a child and a dog and the kindness shared between this precocious pair.  This book is one boy’s dilemma of what it means to be “so kind” and all his efforts, his heart, and ultimately his growth.”

Meggan Hill is a graduate of the University of San Diego with a degree in Psychology. She has two young children and cherishes raising them in the presence of their beloved animals.  Hill is passionate about stories which give meaningful messages to young minds and young hearts and believes that kindness can be inspired by anyone, even an adorable, little pug with a “curly-whirly tail.” This is her first book.

Nico and Lola still enjoy time together – playing tag, sharing special snacks and taking naps on their favorite blanket. They continue to be the very best kind of friends.

SUSAN M. GRAUNKE

  ”It was such a special time,  photographing Nico and Lola together.  I must say it was very challenging but what I learned was this;  all I had to do was be in the right place at the right time.  Even though the idea of kindness is abstract, it was actually right there happening in front of me the whole time I was shooting the images for NICO AND LOLA.”

Susan M. Graunke is the owner of Kickapoo Farms in Barrington, Illinois.  She is a graduate of Northern Illinois University and began studying photography in 2006. She is an avid outdoors woman and golfer who lives in Barrington, Illinois with her husband Terence and their pet dogs.  The couple has two grown children.

 Meggan Hill and Susan M. Graunke enjoy interacting with children on every level, encouraging them to explore the worlds of reading and writing.  Meggan and Susan believe the more you educate the mind, the more you educate the heart.  They hope their message of kindness resonates with students, teachers and school communities.

Midwest Connections Marketing Plans

• $100 in REBATES from MBA for display photos, ads, features in your newsletters, e-newsletters, and on your store website, and using this book with your book clubs and reading groups – print out the REBATE FORM above and follow instructions.
• Contact the publisher to inquire about events and/or phoners with the author and photographer.
• Banners and Midwest Connections page for the book on the MBA website.
• Flyer/sign PDF file and other materials provided by the publisher.
• Reading copies of NICO AND LOLA available from Genuine Prints LLC and MBA – contact the MBA office if you need a book.
• Print ad you can run in your local paper – earn a rebate from MBA for your ad!
• Midwest Connections stickers, shelf-talkers, signs, bookmarks for in-store displays – earn a display rebate, too.